What Is The Most Common Cause Of Roof Leaks?

Roof leaks are the most common type of home repair. They can show that your roofing system is failing and with mounting pressure, may cause damage to the structure of your home. A leaky roof can lead to mold and mildew problems, structural concerns and unnecessary water consumption. If you notice a roof leak, call a licensed roofer to assess the damage caused by the leak. In this blog, we have compiled seven common causes of roof leaks.

Roofing material’s level of protection wanes over time; some may reach the end of their lifespan (check your roof repair guarantee if you have already had some professional work done on it), resulting in roof leaks. For instance, petrochemical oils in asphalt shingles might dry out over time, causing the shingles to crack, break and lose their granules. If left unrepaired, the shingles dry out and lose their water-shedding ability leading to leaks. The age of the roof is one the most common signs of a need for a new roof.

Damaged or improperly sealed roof vents might be a cause of roof leakages. You can check for dark spots underneath where the roof vents sit to identify any leaks. If you notice any leaking vent, remove the rubber band around the vent base and pry up the surrounding tiles. Check and replace the element causing leaks, either the roof vent, flashing, or rubber vent boot and finally, place the tiles back onto the roof.

Falling leaves, sticks and other debris might clog your gutter, causing it to stop functioning and leak. Clogged gutters increase the risk of roof leaks as water enters cracks in your roof. You can clean your clogged gutters physically by clearing the debris and finally testing if it’s clean by pouring water in the channel and checking whether it flows to the bottom.

Damaged or slipped roof tiles may cause a roof leak in your home. Damaged tiles often result from heavy snowfall or storms. Roof leaks can also happen if you have had too many repairs on your roof so it doesn’t look like the same one anymore. The tiles need to be secure, as they hold up the weight of the entire roof. If you notice leaks in your roof, check out for damaged tiles and replace them with new ones.

The mortar that holds a chimney all together might crack after exposure to harsh weather over time and allow water to enter, causing roof leaks. You may inspect the mortar and flashing to check if they are damaged. If you notice a roof leak from your chimney, you can call a professional expert to fix it.

Damaged flashing caused by age and exposure to fluctuating temperatures may result in roof leaks. Damaged flashing also occurs when roofing contractors use the wrong roof material, such as copper or aluminum, on the roof. If you had recent work done on your roof and now it leaks after rain but before it didn’t, it is quite possibly a sign of a bad roofing job. You can install flashing at the corners, where it meets the gutter, and at any other areas where there is a change in slope to prevent water from entering your home. Flashings are an important part of the anatomy of a roof.

Call Lanes Contracting company today to schedule your consultation.